Everything That Rises Must Converge

The title “Everything That Rises Must Converge” comes from an essay called “Omega Point” by French philosopher and priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Discuss the implications of the title for the story. How does it foreshadow the multiple instances of rising and converging in the story?

O’Connor was a devout Catholic, and her work is known for its reliance on religious themes like sin, morality, and redemption. How does “Everything That Rises Must Converge” reflect O’Connor’s faith and religious beliefs?

There are two mother-and-son pairs in “Everything That Rises Must Converge.” Contrast and compare Julian and his mother and Carver and his mother. Why are the mothers unnamed while the sons are not?

Julian prides himself on being an intellectual and unprejudiced adult “in spite of” (189) his mother’s influence. However, the two are perhaps more alike than Julian would like to admit. In what ways are Julian and his mother similar? How are they different?

Julian claims that his mother lives in a “fantasy world” (189), yet he spends a significant amount of time in his own “mental bubble” (189) fantasizing about teaching his mother a lesson. What is each character’s relationship with reality like? Is either truly more realistic than the other?

Choose another story from O’Connor’s collection, Everything That Rises Must Converge. What similarities are there between the stories? How are themes like race, morality, and Southern culture treated similarly or differently?

Discuss the importance of lessons in “Everything That Rises Must Converge.” Throughout the story, Julian wants to teach his mother a lesson. Does he succeed? Does he learn a lesson himself?

Throughout “Everything That Rises Must Converge,” O’Connor makes liberal use of irony. What purpose does this serve, and why did O’Connor choose this particular literary device for the story?